CUTS to social care budgets have been branded “disgraceful” by the leader of Newport City Council.

Cllr Debbie Wilcox was speaking at a meeting of the council’s Labour-run cabinet yesterday during a discussion on the newly-created draft Population Needs assessment.

The document outlines a series of priorities of the five councils in Gwent, as well as Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, for supporting people in Gwent, including increasing support for children in care and older people with dementia.

Social services are the responsibilities of councils, which have all faced real-terms budget cuts for several years in a row, and cllr Wilcox said she was deeply concerned about the potential impact of drops in funding.

“As one of the world’s leading economies, Britain should be spending far more on its people,” she said.

“It is disgraceful that budgets are being cut.

“It is absolutely appalling that the level of wealth in this country is not distributed evenly.

“Its certainly something the political people in this room are vehemently opposed to.”

A report presented to council members said a particular challenge was posed by an ageing population, with the number of 100-year-olds in the UK having increased from just 24 in 1917 to almost 5,000. And some have predicted as many as 40,000 people could hit a century in 2031.

The report also showed the number of people who would need specific support was also on the increase, while council budgets were going in the opposite direction.

Shaftesbury ward member Cllr Bob Poole said he found the figures “Enlightening and worrying”.

And his ward colleague cllr Paul Cockeram called the details “startling”.

He added, one of the impacts on budgets was the increase in older people choosing to live independently.

“People don’t want to live in residential homes any more,” he said.

“Years ago when you hit 65 you automatically went into a home.

“But there are costs with staying at home too, with three or four visits a day.”

As part of the council’s draft budget for the 2017-2018 financial year the council is considering outsourcing social care for older and vulnerable people in the city to a private company.

Although the plans would save taxpayers in Newport £140,000, the city’s branch of trade union Unison has argued they would damage care for older and vulnerable people.

The budget is due to be finalised next month and a consultation closes on Friday, January 20. To take part visit newport.gov/budget.

To view the draft Population Needs Assessment, which will be signed off by the full council on Tuesday, January 31, visit newport.gov.uk